If you are a newly recovering addict who has successfully completed a drug treatment program, it is a major accomplishment that should fill you with an immense sense of pride and accomplishment. You have decided to face your addiction head-on, and through hard work and determination you have overcome the underlying issues that had kept you stuck in the vicious cycle of substance abuse. As you walk out the doors of rehab for the last time, you look forward to building a new and healthy life in recovery.
While the thought of starting this new chapter in life can be extremely exciting, it can also be fraught with uncertainty, doubt, and even fear. The triggers and temptations of your daily life can put your newfound sobriety to the test. In order to minimize the chances of relapse in your recovery, aftercare options such as sober living homes in Ohio can give you the extra tools and support you need in order to make a more successful transition back into your normal daily life.
What Are Sober Living Homes?
Also known as halfway houses, sober living homes in Ohio are drug-free living environments that are created for those who have completed intensive inpatient treatment and are transitioning back into their normal day-to-day life. For those who choose to live in sober living environments in Ohio, they are able to stay as long as needed and will usually pay resident fees for upkeep and maintenance of the facility. While most sober living houses in Ohio are privately owned and will bill directly for services, there are some facilities that do accept insurance payments or even Medicaid.
How Does the Structure of a Halfway House in Ohio Help Those in Recovery?
Sober living houses in Ohio are specifically structured to complement the total recovery process. The sober living environment has less supervision when compared to inpatient treatment, but those who staff these living facilities are those who have significant recovery time and may be employed by the rehab or private organization that runs them. When you enter a halfway house in Ohio, you will be living side by side with people who are in various stages of recovery. As a result, there is more consistent peer interaction and support which can help you recovery and all who reside in these types of facilities are held accountable.
Additionally, you will be strongly encouraged to avoid friends and family who may not be fully supportive of your decision to become clean and sober. This is especially true of those individuals that you used to use substances in the past. Residents are usually required or are strongly encouraged to attend meetings and actively work a 12-step recovery program.
What Can I Expect When I Live in A Halfway House in Ohio?
When you decide to live in a sober living home in Ohio, you are fully expected to be proactive in working your individual program. While sober living homes will allow recovering addicts space and time they need, this type of living situation is not for individuals who sit idly and “wait out their time”. While in a halfway house, you will be expected to do the following:
Organize a job search
When living in a sober living environment in Ohio, you will be expected to look for meaningful employment if you don’t already have a job in place. There is scheduled time during the day for you to search for employment, and you will receive coaching to help you build a better resume and learn effective interviewing techniques.
Learning to Adjust To Sobriety
While housed in a residential inpatient program, a patient often has very few liberties. On the other hand, if an individual is back at home, the prospect of making responsible decisions can be difficult for them to handle. When you take part in a sober living program in Ohio you will be able to put into practice the essential life and coping skills that were learned during treatment. With the help of fellow residents, you will be able to refine these skills and become more confident.
Looking For Adequate Housing
If you enter a halfway house without any permanent housing in place, you are able to spend time in searching for adequate housing that will help support your new sober lifestyle. The experienced staff at Ohio sober living houses can put you in contact with the appropriate community resources that can make your search easier.
Work on Effective Interpersonal Communication Skills
The most important aspect of sober living in Ohio is working on the effective and healthy interpersonal skills that are needed to repair those relationships that were ruined as a result of your substance abuse. Additionally, you will be able to create and foster new relationships that will bolster your sense of support and well-being.
What are Other Rules That I Must Follow While Living in a Sober Living Home in Ohio?
There are some other rules to keep in mind when you live in a sober living facility in Ohio. For example, you must keep common areas clean and perform duties such as throwing out the trash and making dinner and attending weekly house meetings. You are also expected to be home by a certain time each night and get out of bed by a certain time each morning. If you leave the house, you generally need to sign in and out and let fellow residents and staff know where you are going.
The main rule of living in a halfway house is that under no circumstance is the use of drugs and alcohol tolerated while living in the home. In most situations, residents who are caught using substances in the house itself or outside the home are evicted and are not allowed to return. Drug use and relapse behavior not only impact the addict who is using substances, but it can significantly impact the safety and recovery of both residents and staff.
If you or a loved one is in need of drug treatment, or if you are looking for adequate outpatient rehab services, call the addiction professionals at Ohio Addiction Recovery Center toll-free today. We have the programs, experiences, and resources available to help you achieve your goal of lifelong recovery.
